A cat bitten once by a snake dreads even rope. ~Arab Proverb
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Luna awoke from her dreamwalking trance in a cold sweat and with a gasp. It just wasn't possible! She felt Nightmare ripped apart when she was purified by the Elements a few years ago! How could that... that demon... possibly be back now?!
She thought back to when she was controlled by Nightmare. It was terrifying; she'd changed her mind during the transformation, realizing how wrong she was, but she couldn't stop it. She didn't wan't that to happen to poor little Peril. The dragonet had already been through so much... But if anyone else found out, she could be hunted down like a wild beast. Celestia made it abundantly clear that if anything like that ever happened again, the pony in question would be purified or killed, no exceptions. Luna made her decision. She wouldn't tell anyone. Perhaps ponies would be kind to Peril and she wouldn't turn, and Nightmare could be kept dormant.
But somehow, she didn't think so.
Perjury~ (pur-juh-ree)
noun, plural per·ju·ries. Law.
the willful giving of false testimony under oath or affirmation, before a competent tribunal, upon a point material to a legal inquiry.
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Luna paced around her bedroom, contemplating what to do. Obviously I can't tell anyone, but Celestia is bound to ask what's up. I can't tell the truth, but I don't want to lie to my sister's face! I can just say that I'm worried about Eris's next attack... After all, she hasn't made a move in almost a week now. The more Luna thought about Eris's plans, the more worried she got. Perhaps Nightmare's return was her doing! It would be a good way for her to spread chaos, and is definitely something she would do... It wouldn't hurt to keep them here in Canterlot for a week or two, to keep them safe.she decided, and trotted off to find Celestia.
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Celestia sat upon her throne, listening to a report on global affairs. "The Drakanian Empire has suffered major loses in combating Eris's magic. Valoria is having trouble keeping her kingdom from falling into anarchy. Eaglefeather and Falcari fare no better. Zebrabwe is taking in refugees starting at midnight, being the most stable country left. King Wolfram and the diamond dogs are enroute there as we speak. The buffalo tribes have already fallen; no groups more than ten strong exist. Large groups of minotaur are preparing to evacuate. Cadence and Shining Armour have managed to shield the Crystal Empire, but aren't holding up well. Nothing has been heard from Chrysalis, and Badlands were hit hardest. Should we mobilize?" The black and white guard finished his report, gazing up at the princess expectantly. After a moment of though Celestia responded with a grim expression. "Send a squadron each of unicorn guards to Drakania and Falcari, send a few scouts to the Badlands, help the minotaur and diamond dogs to get overseas and evacuate northern Equestria." The guard gulped. "What do mean by northern Equestria, if I may ask?" Celestia realized she may not have been quite as clear as she thought, and elaborated. "Evacuate every city north of Canterlot, including the Crystal Empire. Am I clear enough now?" The guard stumbled over his words for a moment. "C-crystal cl-clear Your Majesty." Celestia's grimace lessened as she nodded. "Then you are dismissed, Lieutenant Chiaroscuro." The black and white stallion bowed before galloping out the door.
Luna came in about five minutes later. "Greetings, sister." Celestia looked up from some paperwork. She smiled for what was likely the first time that day. "Lulu! What brings you here?" Luna shuffled uncomfortably as she replied "Thou knows how Eris hath not made any moves recently?" Celestia raised an eyebrow. "Yes..." Luna pawed at the floor infront of her. "We think it would be best if we kept the Dragonets and the Element Bearers here for a couple weeks. If Eris does not make an attack on Equestrian soil in that time, then they can return to Ponyville." Celestia nodded. "Sounds fair. I'll send Twilight a letter at once." Celestia trotted off, the suspicion reappearing on her face. Something was up, she just knew it.
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My Faithful Student,
In light of the fact that Eris has not made a move on Equestria in some time, we would like to have you and your friends here in Canterlot. This includes the Dragonets as well. If Eris doesn't attack Equestria within a two-week period, we'll send you back.
Even though you will be under guard here, I encourage you to have fun! There's a wonderful new bakery open near the palace, there's a book store around here somewere, and the Gala is next weekend! Just try not to trash the place quite as much this time, if you please.
Sincerely,
Princess Celestia.
I have a "carpe diem" mug and, truthfully, at six in the morning the words do not make me want to seize the day. They make me want to slap a dead poet. ~Joanne Sherman
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"Twiiiiiliiiiight, it's time to get uuuuuuppppp...."
"Five more minutes..."
The blanket was wrenched out of her hooves and off of her. Twilight groggily opened her eyes. She looked at Spike, who'd awoken her, then at the clock. It was eight in the morning. She got up, steped into a pair of slippers, put on a robe, and headed downstairs.
Sunny was already up, drinking a cup of coffee. She quickly noticed the purple, half-asleep mare coming down the stairway. "Good morning Twi!" she said happily. Twilight grumbled in responce. She filled a cup with water, put some coffee grounds in a defuser, and heated the water with her magic.
There was a loud crash coming from the basement, follwed by shouting. Twilight slammed the coffe cup on table, looking as annoyed as physically possible. I did NOT sign up for this. she thought as she wearily walked to the door. Opening the door, what she saw finally set her off. Glory and Tsunami had gotten in a catfight. Over what, exactly, no one cared. Twilight thundered down the steps, yelling "CUT IT OUT RIGHT NOW! DO I NEED TO TEACH YOU HOW TO ACT IN ANOTHER'S HOME?!" Glory wasn't listening, and neither was Tsunami. They were too focused on the fact, the OVERWHELMING fact, that the other had insulted them. Twilight, having caught on to this fact, snorted and cast a spell. Everypony in the room froze, surrounded by a shimmering magenta aura. Both dragons glanced down at Twilight. Judging by the look on her face alone, they knew they were about to get yelled at.
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As Twilight berated the two dragons about manners and what friends should be, Starflight thought that he could faintly hear a knocking sound. It kept going and going, even after Starflight had dismissed it as being in his head. Just as he thought he was going insane, the knocking got louder and more decisive. He got up and answered it. There was another loud crash downstairs as he opened the door. Seeing the pissed look on Peril's face, he tried to make a fake smile. He failed, miserably. "Look, I can explain..!" He started.
